Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118295

Thomas A. Barker, MPH, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02108, 617-624-5309, tom.barker@state.ma.us

Issues: When HIV positive inmates are released into the community they face the challenge of navigating complex health systems to obtain comprehensive treatment for their medical condition and co-morbidities such as Hepatitis C, mental illness and substance abuse. Adherence to medical regimens are often interrupted and many return to behaviors that put others at risk for HIV infection or put themselves at risk for re-incarceration. Description: The Transitional Intervention Program (TIP) was implemented in August, 2000 for all HIV positive inmates in all Massachusetts correctional facilities. The primary goal of TIP is to ensure a continuum of care for this vulnerable population as they exit corrections and reintegrate into the community. Through September, 2004, TIP has served 1,010 individual clients, 60% of whom were members of communities of color. Lessons learned: As a result of TIP activities, 93% of community appointments with medical, housing, substance abuse and mental health service providers were confirmed completed in the first month after clients entered the community. Self-report from TIP clients indicate the following qualitative components of the program to be successful: • TIP case managers meeting inmate at prison gate at release • Getting through the “critical” first week without relapse • Trust and respect on the part of TIP case managers • TIP case managers “are accessible and really care”

Recommendations: Close collaborations between public health, corrections and community providers are necessary to successfully implement reintegration services for inmates and ex-offenders.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session participants will be able to

• Discuss the types of collaborations necessary to plan for and provide successful reintegration services and access to care for HIV positive inmates.
• Understand the inherent challenges for community providers working within the correctional system.
• Describe the needs of incarcerated individuals with HIV and how those needs can be met in the community. 4.Apply the content of this session to assess the feasibility of a similar reintegration model in their jurisdiction.

Keywords: Correctional Health Care, HIV Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.